diff --git a/beetsplug/embedart.py b/beetsplug/embedart.py
index 4609f9f50..d98fc1328 100644
--- a/beetsplug/embedart.py
+++ b/beetsplug/embedart.py
@@ -86,12 +86,26 @@ class EmbedCoverArtPlugin(BeetsPlugin):
                                     help='extract an image from file metadata')
         extract_cmd.parser.add_option('-o', dest='outpath',
                                       help='image output file')
+        extract_cmd.parser.add_option('-a', dest='albums', action='store_true',
+                                      help='extract the art of all matching albums')
 
         def extract_func(lib, opts, args):
-            outpath = normpath(opts.outpath or config['art_filename'].get())
-            for item in lib.items(decargs(args)):
-                if self.extract(outpath, item):
+            if opts.albums:
+                if opts.outpath and os.path.sep in normpath(opts.outpath):
+                    self._log.error(u"When using -a, only specify a filename instead"
+                                    u" of a full path for -o")
                     return
+                for album in lib.albums(decargs(args)):
+                    outpath = normpath(os.path.join(album.path, opts.outpath
+                                                    or config['art_filename'].get()))
+                    for item in album.items():
+                        if self.extract(outpath, item):
+                            return
+            else:
+                outpath = normpath(opts.outpath or config['art_filename'].get())
+                for item in lib.items(decargs(args)):
+                    if self.extract(outpath, item):
+                        return
         extract_cmd.func = extract_func
 
         # Clear command.
diff --git a/docs/plugins/embedart.rst b/docs/plugins/embedart.rst
index 273046979..2c8748d14 100644
--- a/docs/plugins/embedart.rst
+++ b/docs/plugins/embedart.rst
@@ -84,5 +84,11 @@ embedded album art:
   ``art_filename`` configuration option. It defaults to ``cover`` if it's not
   specified via ``-o`` nor the config.
 
+* ``beet extractart -a [-o FILE] QUERY``: extracts the images for all albums
+  matching the query. The images are placed inside the album folder. The
+  destination filename is taken either from the ``-o`` option or the
+  ``art_filename`` configuration option. It defaults to ``cover`` if it's not
+  specified.
+
 * ``beet clearart QUERY``: removes all embedded images from all items matching
   the query. (Use with caution!)