Art, Artists, and Artistes

Vincent Van Gogh lived a very ascetic life but not by choice - he had little money.  He sold only one painting during his time. Then he croaked by his own hand and now only millionaires can afford to buy one of his paintings.  The lesson to be learned - don't wait!  Purchase one of my paintings now for 40...50...99.99% off the future retail price.  Paintings (starting at $70 K, before discount.) on sale now!!!  Special this week only - Buy any Two Pictures and get a free copy of my latest work. 

"the spohp[fj"*

*In the days before typewriting became common, many typists in training would enroll in l'Ecole de Clerique in the province of Saxony.  The school offered two classes: 1 - Home Row/Touch Le Typing and 2 - Faire du Lettres et Nombres.  If one class was already fully enrolled the student would be placed in the other.  It was common for a student to begin touch typing before learning where the letters were.  "the spohp[f" is the representation of such an effort.  It is not known what the word was intended to be but for certain it is in French and most likely rude.