diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index e99e34f..bee918e 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -257,6 +257,12 @@ following settings.
 
   By default no transcoding is done.
 
+* **`albumart_maxwidth`** Downscale the embedded album art to a width
+  of maximum `albumart_maxwidth` pixels. The aspect ratio of the image
+  will be preserved. This is comparable to the setting with the same
+  name of the [convert plugin][convert plugin]. 
+
+
 * **`removable`** If this is `true` (the default) and `directory` does
   not exist, the `update` command will ask you to confirm the creation
   of the external collection. (optional)
diff --git a/beetsplug/alternatives.py b/beetsplug/alternatives.py
index 6b1fdec..85ef97c 100644
--- a/beetsplug/alternatives.py
+++ b/beetsplug/alternatives.py
@@ -181,6 +181,7 @@ def parse_config(self, config: confuse.ConfigView):
         self.query, _ = parse_query_string(query, Item)
 
         self.removable = config.get(dict).get("removable", True)  # type: ignore
+        self.album_art_maxwidth = config.get(dict).get("album_art_maxwidth", None)  # type: ignore
 
         if "directory" in config:
             dir = config["directory"].as_path()
@@ -342,7 +343,14 @@ def _sync_art(self, item: Item, path: Path):
         album = item.get_album()
         if album and album.artpath and Path(str(album.artpath, "utf8")).is_file():
             self._log.debug(f"Embedding art from {album.artpath} into {path}")
-            art.embed_item(self._log, item, album.artpath, itempath=bytes(path))
+
+            art.embed_item(
+                self._log,
+                item,
+                album.artpath,
+                maxwidth=self.album_art_maxwidth,
+                itempath=bytes(path),
+            )
 
 
 class ExternalConvert(External):
diff --git a/test/cli_test.py b/test/cli_test.py
index bfe1bac..4673128 100644
--- a/test/cli_test.py
+++ b/test/cli_test.py
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 import pytest
 from beets.library import Item
 from beets.ui import UserError
+from beets.util.artresizer import ArtResizer
 from confuse import ConfigValueError
 from mediafile import MediaFile
 
@@ -348,6 +349,8 @@ def test_embed_art(self, tmp_path: Path):
 
         This test comprehensively checks that embedded artwork is up-to-date
         with the artwork file, even if no changes to the database happen.
+
+        It also tests if the album_art_maxwidth is applied
         """
 
         def touch_art(item: Item, image_path: Path):
@@ -363,7 +366,8 @@ def touch_art(item: Item, image_path: Path):
             item_mtime_alt = Path(str(item.path, "utf8")).stat().st_mtime
             os.utime(image_path, (item_mtime_alt + 2, item_mtime_alt + 2))
 
-        # Initially add album without artwork.
+        # Initially add album without artwork. Do not do resizing
+        self.config["alternatives"]["myexternal"]["album_art_maxwidth"] = None
         album = self.add_album(myexternal="true")
         album.store()
         self.runcli("alt", "update", "myexternal")
@@ -373,7 +377,7 @@ def touch_art(item: Item, image_path: Path):
 
         # Make a copy of the artwork, so that changing mtime/content won't
         # affect the repository.
-        image_path = tmp_path / "image"
+        image_path = tmp_path / "image.png"
         shutil.copy(self.IMAGE_FIXTURE1, image_path)
         touch_art(item, image_path)
 
@@ -395,6 +399,24 @@ def touch_art(item: Item, image_path: Path):
         item = album.items().get()
         assert_has_embedded_artwork(self.get_path(item), self.IMAGE_FIXTURE2)
 
+        # now set a maxwidth and verify the final image has the right
+        # dimensions
+        touch_art(item, image_path)
+        self.config["alternatives"]["myexternal"]["album_art_maxwidth"] = 1
+        self.runcli("alt", "update", "myexternal")
+        mediafile = MediaFile(self.get_path(item))
+        tmp_embedded_image = tmp_path / "embedded_image.png"
+        with open(tmp_embedded_image, "wb") as binary_file:
+            binary_file.write(mediafile.art)
+        art_resizer = ArtResizer()
+        (width, height) = art_resizer.get_size(bytes(tmp_embedded_image))
+        assert width == 1
+
+        # reset
+        self.config["alternatives"]["myexternal"]["album_art_maxwidth"] = None
+
+
+
     def test_update_all(self, tmp_path: Path):
         dir_a = tmp_path / "a"
         dir_a.mkdir()