Jean-François is an exemplar of a new social class in what Rouault called "the post-Christian era"-the proletariat, who inhabited a godless society.

When the Miserere was begun in 1916, Rouault entered an exclusive contract with Vollard for all of his work, finished and unfinished.  While this provided security for Rouault, it also exposed him to the whims of his dealer, who began many projects with the artist and left many undone.