Portrait of Paul Zaigre (circa 1739-1794)

When his father died, Defriches had to leave his studies at Natoire's workshop in Paris to take over the family business in Orléans. With the help of his younger brother, who had become a naval captain, the business rapidly prospered. Orléans was the last town on the Loire before Paris, and in a city with dozens of refineries processing molasses from the West Indies, Desfriches' refinery ensured his fortune. He did not abandon the arts, however, and his friendships were put to good use, both for his own collection and for the beautification of the town. While Hallé, Restout and Vien were commissioned to paint the convent of Notre-Dame-de-Bonne-Nouvelle, Pigalle was asked to design a monument commemorating the Pucelle's liberation of Orleans. Probably judged too costly, the project was not retained, but Desfriches took advantage of his illustrious friend's stay in 1760 to commission his bust and that of his servant Paul in terracotta, a material as prized by 18th-century collectors as pastel.

Paul Zaigre was given to Desfriches by his younger brother in 1751, on his return from a trip to Saint-Domingue, where business took him regularly to monitor sugar production. Family legend has it that he traded it to privateers for a frock coat on the Algerian coast. Originally from Angola, Paul Zaigre must have been part of the triangular trade that brought slaves from Africa to Saint-Domingue, where ships were loaded with sugar before returning to France. Declared an invalid in 1752, Desfriches nevertheless kept him close to him.

As had been the custom since the late 17th century, the black page was dressed daily in an exotic costume and feathered turban, according to the fashion of the day. While the exoticism of the costume is well rendered by Pigalle, who takes pleasure in detailing the materials of the jacket, he also sought to convey the personality of the page with his haughty bearing. Paul had a lifelong relationship with his master, who declared him his confidant in 1777. Desfriches offered him a house not far from the Hôtel Euverte Hatte where he lived (now the Centre Charles Péquy).