Paintings which normally hang in Windsor Castle are among the work of “an artistic star” that will go on show in a major exhibition later this year. The work of Bristol-born Thomas Lawrence will be shown at the National Portrait Gallery in central London from October.

It is the first major exhibition of his paintings in Britain since 1979 and includes a recently rediscovered self-portrait of the artist, who was one of the leading British portrait painters of the 19th century.

National Portrait Gallery director Sandy Nairne said: “Thomas Lawrence was the artistic star of the Regency period. This exhibition now offers the best chance to understand why his work is so important.”

Among the paintings from the royal collection are portraits of Pope Pius VII and Charles, Archduke of Austria, which are normally displayed in the Waterloo Chamber of Windsor Castle.

The exhibition, called Thomas Lawrence: Regency Power And Brilliance, runs until January next year.