A landscape by Giovanni Segantini, painted in 1891, became the second most expensive work by the artist at a Christie's Swiss art auction in Zurich on Monday.

Le Due Madri, or Two Mothers, depicts a mother carrying a baby, accompanied by two goats. This quintessential Segantini, known for his love of the Swiss Alps, made $1.59m, slightly above its pre-sale top end estimate of $1.33m.

Segantini was well known for his portrayal of mothers. Art critic Rolf Saurenmann explains that the artist's mothers tend to be "affectionately, gently and good-naturedly" represented.

The Italian born artist's work is always popular with collectors and art investors. The record for a Segantini still stands at the $9.5m paid for his 1897 work Primavera sulle alpi at Christie's in 1999.

Mother’s love: Segantini’s work realised $1.59m

Other major results from the art auction included Giovanni Giacometti's Sotto il sambuco, which made $2.1m, and Quai de Berville by Felix Vallotton, which achieved $1m.

Segantini died in 1899 while working on his Alpen Triptychon, high up in the Swiss Alps.