diff --git a/beetsplug/embedart.py b/beetsplug/embedart.py
index e84b39737..6e3783030 100644
--- a/beetsplug/embedart.py
+++ b/beetsplug/embedart.py
@@ -88,12 +88,30 @@ 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('-n', dest='filename',
+                                      help='image filename to create for all '
+                                           'matched albums')
+        extract_cmd.parser.add_option('-a', dest='associate',
+                                      action='store_true',
+                                      help='associate the extracted images '
+                                           'with the album')
 
         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.outpath:
+                self.extract_first(normpath(opts.outpath),
+                                   lib.items(decargs(args)))
+            else:
+                filename = opts.filename or config['art_filename'].get()
+                if os.path.dirname(filename) != '':
+                    self._log.error(u"Only specify a name rather than a path "
+                                    u"for -n")
                     return
+                for album in lib.albums(decargs(args)):
+                    artpath = normpath(os.path.join(album.path, filename))
+                    artpath = self.extract_first(artpath, album.items())
+                    if artpath and opts.associate:
+                        album.set_art(artpath)
+                        album.store()
         extract_cmd.func = extract_func
 
         # Clear command.
@@ -236,7 +254,6 @@ class EmbedCoverArtPlugin(BeetsPlugin):
         return mf.art
 
     # 'extractart' command.
-
     def extract(self, outpath, item):
         art = self.get_art(item)
 
@@ -258,6 +275,12 @@ class EmbedCoverArtPlugin(BeetsPlugin):
             f.write(art)
         return outpath
 
+    def extract_first(self, outpath, items):
+        for item in items:
+            real_path = self.extract(outpath, item)
+            if real_path:
+                return real_path
+
     # 'clearart' command.
     def clear(self, lib, query):
         id3v23 = config['id3v23'].get(bool)
diff --git a/docs/changelog.rst b/docs/changelog.rst
index 6b3893ce9..30d26525c 100644
--- a/docs/changelog.rst
+++ b/docs/changelog.rst
@@ -24,6 +24,9 @@ Features:
 * :doc:`plugins/mbsync`: A new ``-f/--format`` option controls the output
   format when listing unrecognized items. The output is also now more helpful
   by default. :bug:`1246`
+* :doc:`/plugins/fetchart`: New option ``-n`` to extract the cover art of all
+  matched albums into its directory. It's also possible to automatically
+  associate them with the album when adding ``-a``. :bug:`1261`
 * :doc:`/plugins/fetchart`: Names of extracted image art is taken from the
   ``art_filename`` configuration option. :bug:`1258`
 * :doc:`/plugins/fetchart`: There's a new Wikipedia image source that uses
diff --git a/docs/plugins/embedart.rst b/docs/plugins/embedart.rst
index 273046979..cf96c504f 100644
--- a/docs/plugins/embedart.rst
+++ b/docs/plugins/embedart.rst
@@ -77,12 +77,19 @@ embedded album art:
   use a specific image file from the filesystem; otherwise, each album embeds
   its own currently associated album art.
 
-* ``beet extractart [-o FILE] QUERY``: extracts the image from an item matching
-  the query and stores it in a file. You can specify the destination file using
-  the ``-o`` option, but leave off the extension: it will be chosen
-  automatically. The destination filename is specified using the
-  ``art_filename`` configuration option. It defaults to ``cover`` if it's not
-  specified via ``-o`` nor the config.
+* ``beet extractart [-a] [-n FILE] QUERY``: extracts the images for all albums
+  matching the query. The images are placed inside the album folder. You can
+  specify the destination file name using the ``-n`` option, but leave off the
+  extension: it will be chosen automatically. The destination filename is
+  specified using the ``art_filename`` configuration option. It defaults to
+  ``cover`` if it's not specified via ``-o`` nor the config.
+  Using ``-a``, the extracted image files are automatically associated with the
+  corresponding album.
+
+* ``beet extractart -o FILE QUERY``: extracts the image from an item matching
+  the query and stores it in a file. You have to specify the destination file
+  using the ``-o`` option, but leave off the extension: it will be chosen
+  automatically.
 
 * ``beet clearart QUERY``: removes all embedded images from all items matching
   the query. (Use with caution!)