Paintings fetch $ 34 million

An oil painting by German artist Gerhard Richter is sold for $ 34 million - a record for a work by a living artist yet.

Abstraktes Bild, which was painted in 1994, and was owned by rock star Eric Clapton, has been described as a "masterpiece of calculated chaos."

Artwork, expected to be sold up to 18 million dollars, was sold to an anonymous bidder at Sotheby's in London on Friday.

Numerous applause erupted after the price doubled from what was expected.

Gerhard Richter, 80, who lives in Cologne, is considered to be the greatest painter in the world, still lives.