His approach belongs to the Social Realist tradition. Hoffman focused on the physical weight of manual labour. In pieces such as Taking a Fiver and Rocks and Men, he used strong lines to define the strain of the human body. His portraits of figures like Thayer Lindsey or the Puerto Rican farmer avoid sentimentality. He preferred a direct style that emphasised the character and grit of his sitters. His etchings demonstrate a mastery of light and shadow.

Modern collectors value these works for their historical honesty. The prints document a period of intense industrial expansion. These etchings and paintings possess a graphic quality that suits contemporary interiors. They provide a sense of history without relying on nostalgia. His studies of miners and engineers remain relevant for their focus on human effort. The work offers a clear look at the people who built the infrastructure of the twentieth century.