Alex Katz's piece titled Ariel 5 is a vibrant and striking portrait that showcases his minimalist approach to capturing the essence of his subjects. The artwork features a close-up view of a woman's face, rendered in warm, muted tones against a bold red background. Katz uses clean, unmodulated lines to define the contours of her face and hair, emphasizing simplicity and clarity in his composition.

The woman's face is partially cropped, focusing on her right eye, lips, and flowing hair, which cascade down the right side of the composition. The use of contrasting colors—her golden hair and the deep red background—creates a visually dynamic effect that draws the viewer's attention to the subtle details of her expression. Katz's economical use of lines and shapes highlights the essential features of the subject, capturing a sense of elegance and poise.

The simplicity of Katz's lines and the flat color fields are hallmarks of his style, which seeks to distill the subject to its most fundamental elements. In Ariel 5, the interplay between the warm tones of the woman's skin and hair and the intense red backdrop adds depth and dimension to the portrait, while maintaining a sense of modernity and timelessness. The artwork's minimalistic approach allows viewers to engage deeply with the subject, appreciating the refined beauty and emotional nuance captured by Katz.