Alex Katz's piece titled Halsey exemplifies his minimalist approach, using stark black and white contrasts to create a powerful and visually engaging portrait. The artwork features a close-up of a woman's face, depicted with clean lines and minimal detail, emphasizing the contours and shapes that define her features. The high-contrast palette focuses the viewer's attention on the essential elements of her face, creating a striking and memorable image.

In Halsey, Katz positions the subject towards the left side of the composition, revealing only a portion of her face. This partial view includes her ear adorned with a small earring, her eye, and part of her mouth, capturing an intriguing and intimate glimpse of the subject. The simplicity of the lines and the flat, unmodulated black areas against the white background contribute to the boldness and clarity of the portrait, making each detail stand out prominently.

The use of negative space is a key element in this piece, allowing the viewer to focus on the minimalistic yet expressive lines that define Halsey's features. Katz's technique of reducing the portrait to its most fundamental elements while still conveying a sense of personality and emotion is evident in the careful rendering of her eye and the subtle curve of her smile. The earring adds a touch of elegance, enhancing the portrait's refined and sophisticated quality.