diff --git a/beets/library.py b/beets/library.py
index 8b2c862b4..8388ff170 100644
--- a/beets/library.py
+++ b/beets/library.py
@@ -976,6 +976,18 @@ class Library(BaseLibrary):
             _, ext = os.path.splitext(image)
             dest = os.path.join(item_dir, self._library.art_filename + ext)
             return dest
+        
+        def set_art(self, path):
+            """Sets the album's cover art to the image at the given path.
+            The image is copied into place, replacing any existing art.
+            """
+            oldart = self.artpath
+            artdest = self.art_destination(path)
+            if oldart == artdest:
+                os.unlink(oldart)
+
+            shutil.copy(path, artdest)
+            self.artpath = artdest
 
     def get_album(self, item_or_id):
         """Given an album ID or an item associated with an album,
diff --git a/test/test_db.py b/test/test_db.py
index 333d3c237..912696c81 100644
--- a/test/test_db.py
+++ b/test/test_db.py
@@ -438,15 +438,14 @@ class ArtFileTest(unittest.TestCase):
         self.lib.directory = self.libdir
         self.i = item()
         self.i.path = self.lib.destination(self.i)
-        # Make a file.
+        # Make a music file.
         beets.library._mkdirall(self.i.path)
         _touch(self.i.path)
-        self.lib.add_album(self.i.artist, self.i.album, (self.i,))
+        # Make an album.
+        self.ai = self.lib.add_album(self.i.artist, self.i.album, (self.i,))
         # Make an art file too.
         self.art = self.lib.get_album(self.i).art_destination('something.jpg')
         _touch(self.art)
-        # Make an album.
-        self.ai = self.lib.get_album(self.i)
         self.ai.artpath = self.art
     def tearDown(self):
         if os.path.exists(self.libdir):
@@ -469,6 +468,16 @@ class ArtFileTest(unittest.TestCase):
         newart = self.lib.get_album(self.i).art_destination(self.art)
         self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(newart))
 
+    def test_setart_copies_image(self):
+        newart = os.path.join(self.libdir, 'newart.jpg')
+        _touch(newart)
+        i2 = item()
+        i2.artist = 'someArtist'
+        ai = self.lib.add_album(i2.artist, i2.album, (i2,))
+        self.assertEqual(ai.artpath, None)
+        ai.set_art(newart)
+        self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(ai.artpath))
+
 def suite():
     return unittest.TestLoader().loadTestsFromName(__name__)