The first exhibition in Scotland devoted to the work of a 17th-century artist known as much for his lawlessness and impetuousity as his art will open this week.

Nearly 100 drawings by the Italian artist Castiglione, and a painting newly reattributed to him, will go on show at The Queen's Gallery at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.

The exhibition, entitled Castiglione: Lost Genius, promises to shine a light on the master draughtsman's work, from oil drawings to pioneering monotype prints held in the Royal Collection.

The newly-conserved painting recently reattributed to Castiglione - one of only a few paintings by the artist to be found outside Italy - will also go on display.

Acquired by George III in 1762 as a work by Castiglione, the painting tells the story of Princess Io from Ovid's Metamorphoses.

By the 20th century, a gradual discolouration of varnish had masked the quality of the work, leading scholars to discount the original attribution and describe the painting simply as "Genoese School".

But recent cleaning and the removal of layers of varnish have revealed traits characteristic of Castiglione's work around 1640.

Despite being one of the most innovative and ground-breaking artists of the Italian Baroque, Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione is relatively unknown today.

Born in 1609, his volatile temperament overshadowed his artistic brilliance and he struggled to achieve recognition during his lifetime.

He was repeatedly in court for assault; allegedly attempted to throw his sister off a roof; destroyed his own work in front of powerful patrons; and was forced to flee Rome in mysterious circumstances.

Exhibition curator Martin Clayton said: "Castiglione was a real enigma - a violent, impulsive man who nonetheless created some of the most lyrical works of the Baroque.

"His paintings are few and far between, so to discover his distinctive style hidden under the layers of discoloured varnish was tremendously exciting.

"It is a very fine painting and we are delighted that it is going to be the highlight of the very first exhibition in Scotland devoted to this ground-breaking artist."

Castiglione: Lost Genius opens at the Palace of Holyroodhouse on Friday and runs until February 8 next year.