François GRAGNON (1929-2018) Alfred Hitchcock, Cannes, 1963 Posterior silver-digital print on satin-finish RC paper, from the original slides N°1/4 60 x 168 cm Provenance: Paris Match iconographic archives A Paris Match certificate of authenticity will be given to the buyer. At 7 o'clock on a May morning in 1963, Alfred Hitchcock arranged to meet François Gragnon on a beach in Cannes. His new film, The Birds, was being shown out of competition at the 16th Festival. The Paris Match photographer was looking for an original portrait idea, and it was Hitch himself who suggested one: "I'm going to show you how I can walk on water, like Jesus. So, after taking a few steps along the shore, taking a meditative drag on his Havana cigar, the cigar master slowly enters the water up to his ankles, arms outstretched, in a very Christ-like attitude. Then he emerges and, pretending to wring the bottom of his soaked trousers, says with his customary irony: "It didn't work out today. Lots are sold inclusive of VAT. VAT, at the current rate of 20%, is included in the hammer price. This VAT is recoverable by the French professional. It is reimbursable for buyers from outside the EU on presentation of proof of export from the EU or for professional bidders providing proof of a valid intra-Community number and a document proving delivery in the Member State. The lots are sold VAT (20%) included. The VAT can be refunded to any registered European company which acquired it at auction, provided they hold a valid European VAT registration number ; and can prove the lot has been transported to the company' country of residence. The VAT can be refunded to any buyer residing outside the EU, providing export papers duly signed and cleared by the French customs or by any other member countries' customs service. François GRAGNON (1929-2018) At 7 o'clock on a May morning in 1963, Alfred Hitchcock arranged to meet François Gragnon on a beach in Cannes. His new film, The Birds, was being shown out of competition at the 16th Festival. The Paris Match photographer was looking for an original portrait idea, and it was Hitch himself who suggested one: "I'm going to show you how I can walk on water, like Jesus. So, after taking a few steps along the shore, taking a meditative drag on his Havana cigar, the cigar master slowly enters the water up to his ankles, arms outstretched, in a very Christ-like attitude. Then he emerges and, pretending to wring the bottom of his soaked trousers, says with his customary irony: "It didn't work out today. The lots are sold inclusive of VAT. VAT, at the current rate of 20%, is included in the auction price. This VAT is recoverable by the French professional. It is reimbursable for buyers from outside the EU on presentation of proof of export from the EU or for professional bidders providing proof of a valid intra-Community number and a document proving delivery in the Member State. The lots are sold VAT (20%) included. The VAT can be refunded to any registered European company which acquired it at auction, provided they hold a valid European VAT registration number ; and can prove the lot has been transported to the company' country of residence. The VAT can be refunded to any buyer residing outside the EU, providing export papers duly signed and cleared by the French customs or by any other member countries' customs service.