diff --git a/backend/app/api/artist.py b/backend/app/api/artist.py
index c0da306..d1a1d59 100644
--- a/backend/app/api/artist.py
+++ b/backend/app/api/artist.py
@@ -482,6 +482,57 @@ async def get_artist_all_songs(
     )
 
 
+@router.get("/{artist_name}/image")
+async def get_artist_image(artist_name: str, db: AsyncSession = Depends(get_db)):
+    """Get artist image (returns image file or 404)
+    
+    Priority:
+    1. Cached artist image from online APIs
+    2. Thumbnail from artist's first song
+    3. 404 (frontend will show default icon)
+    """
+    from fastapi.responses import FileResponse, Response
+    from fastapi import HTTPException
+    
+    # 1. Try to get from artist info cache
+    cached_info = get_cached_artist_info(artist_name)
+    if cached_info and cached_info.image:
+        # Check if it's a local cache path
+        if not cached_info.image.startswith('http'):
+            # It's a relative path like "cache/artist_images/artist_name.jpg"
+            image_path = os.path.join(settings.BASE_DIR, "data", cached_info.image)
+            if os.path.exists(image_path):
+                return FileResponse(image_path, media_type="image/jpeg")
+        
+        # If it's an HTTP URL (song thumbnail), redirect to it
+        if cached_info.image.startswith('http'):
+            return Response(status_code=307, headers={"Location": cached_info.image})
+    
+    # 2. If not in cache, try to get from artist's songs
+    result = await db.execute(
+        select(Music)
+        .where(Music.artist == artist_name)
+        .where(Music.thumbnail.isnot(None))
+        .where(Music.thumbnail != "")
+        .limit(1)
+    )
+    song_with_thumbnail = result.scalar_one_or_none()
+    
+    if song_with_thumbnail and song_with_thumbnail.thumbnail:
+        # Check if it's a local thumbnail
+        if not song_with_thumbnail.thumbnail.startswith('http'):
+            thumbnail_path = os.path.join(settings.MUSIC_DIR, song_with_thumbnail.thumbnail)
+            if os.path.exists(thumbnail_path):
+                return FileResponse(thumbnail_path, media_type="image/jpeg")
+        
+        # If it's an HTTP URL, redirect
+        if song_with_thumbnail.thumbnail.startswith('http'):
+            return Response(status_code=307, headers={"Location": song_with_thumbnail.thumbnail})
+    
+    # 3. No image found - return 404
+    raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Artist image not found")
+
+
 @router.get("/{artist_name}", response_model=List[MusicSchema])
 async def get_artist_songs(
     artist_name: str,
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/MusicLibrary.tsx b/frontend/src/components/MusicLibrary.tsx
index de98263..4d19b74 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/MusicLibrary.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/MusicLibrary.tsx
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button'
 import { Input } from '@/components/ui/input'
 import { Play, AlertCircle, Info, Search, LayoutList, LayoutGrid, ArrowUpDown, Loader2 } from 'lucide-react'
 import MusicDetailModal from './music/MusicDetailModal'
+import { getMusicThumbnail } from '@/lib/utils'
 import {
   Select,
   SelectContent,
@@ -187,17 +188,22 @@ export default function MusicLibrary({ onPlayMusic, currentMusic, onPlayNext }:
             className="flex items-center gap-2 md:gap-4 p-2 md:p-3 rounded-lg hover:bg-accent transition-colors cursor-pointer"
             onClick={() => music.file_exists && onPlayMusic(music, filteredMusic)}
           >
-            {music.thumbnail ? (
+            {getMusicThumbnail(music) ? (
               <img
-                src={music.thumbnail.startsWith('http') ? music.thumbnail : `/music/${music.thumbnail}`}
+                src={getMusicThumbnail(music)!}
                 alt={music.title}
                 className="w-12 h-12 rounded object-cover flex-shrink-0"
+                onError={(e) => {
+                  // Fallback to default icon if image fails to load
+                  const target = e.target as HTMLImageElement
+                  target.style.display = 'none'
+                  target.nextElementSibling?.classList.remove('hidden')
+                }}
               />
-            ) : (
-              <div className="w-12 h-12 rounded bg-secondary flex items-center justify-center flex-shrink-0">
-                <Play className="h-6 w-6 text-muted-foreground" />
-              </div>
-            )}
+            ) : null}
+            <div className={`w-12 h-12 rounded bg-secondary flex items-center justify-center flex-shrink-0 ${getMusicThumbnail(music) ? 'hidden' : ''}`}>
+              <Play className="h-6 w-6 text-muted-foreground" />
+            </div>
 
             <div className="flex-1 min-w-0">
               <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
@@ -243,17 +249,21 @@ export default function MusicLibrary({ onPlayMusic, currentMusic, onPlayNext }:
               className="group relative flex flex-col gap-2 p-3 rounded-lg hover:bg-accent transition-colors"
             >
               <div className="relative aspect-square">
-                {music.thumbnail ? (
+                {getMusicThumbnail(music) ? (
                   <img
-                    src={music.thumbnail.startsWith('http') ? music.thumbnail : `/music/${music.thumbnail}`}
+                    src={getMusicThumbnail(music)!}
                     alt={music.title}
                     className="w-full h-full rounded object-cover"
+                    onError={(e) => {
+                      const target = e.target as HTMLImageElement
+                      target.style.display = 'none'
+                      target.nextElementSibling?.classList.remove('hidden')
+                    }}
                   />
-                ) : (
-                  <div className="w-full h-full rounded bg-secondary flex items-center justify-center">
-                    <Play className="h-12 w-12 text-muted-foreground" />
-                  </div>
-                )}
+                ) : null}
+                <div className={`w-full h-full rounded bg-secondary flex items-center justify-center ${getMusicThumbnail(music) ? 'hidden' : ''}`}>
+                  <Play className="h-12 w-12 text-muted-foreground" />
+                </div>
                 <div className="absolute inset-0 bg-black/40 opacity-0 group-hover:opacity-100 transition-opacity rounded flex items-center justify-center gap-2">
                   <Button
                     size="icon"
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/player/FullScreenPlayer.tsx b/frontend/src/components/player/FullScreenPlayer.tsx
index 4cceab3..d166e6b 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/player/FullScreenPlayer.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/player/FullScreenPlayer.tsx
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import { Music } from '@/types'
 import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button'
 import { Slider } from '@/components/ui/slider'
 import { X, Play, Pause, SkipBack, SkipForward, Heart, ListPlus, Share2, MessageSquareText, Repeat, Repeat1, Shuffle } from 'lucide-react'
-import { formatDuration } from '@/lib/utils'
+import { formatDuration, getMusicThumbnail } from '@/lib/utils'
 import { useQuery } from '@tanstack/react-query'
 import { musicApi } from '@/api/client'
 import React from 'react'
@@ -113,17 +113,21 @@ export default function FullScreenPlayer({
       <div className="flex-1 flex flex-col items-center justify-center p-8 overflow-y-auto">
         {/* Large Album Art */}
         <div className={`w-full max-w-lg ${showLyrics ? 'mb-4 md:mb-8' : 'mb-8'}`}>
-          {currentMusic.thumbnail ? (
+          {getMusicThumbnail(currentMusic) ? (
             <img
-              src={currentMusic.thumbnail.startsWith('http') ? currentMusic.thumbnail : `/music/${currentMusic.thumbnail}`}
+              src={getMusicThumbnail(currentMusic)!}
               alt={currentMusic.title}
               className={`w-full aspect-square rounded-2xl object-cover shadow-2xl ${showLyrics ? 'max-w-xs md:max-w-lg mx-auto' : ''}`}
+              onError={(e) => {
+                const target = e.target as HTMLImageElement
+                target.style.display = 'none'
+                target.nextElementSibling?.classList.remove('hidden')
+              }}
             />
-          ) : (
-            <div className={`w-full aspect-square rounded-2xl bg-secondary flex items-center justify-center shadow-2xl ${showLyrics ? 'max-w-xs md:max-w-lg mx-auto' : ''}`}>
-              <Play className={showLyrics ? 'h-24 w-24 md:h-32 md:w-32 text-muted-foreground' : 'h-32 w-32 text-muted-foreground'} />
-            </div>
-          )}
+          ) : null}
+          <div className={`w-full aspect-square rounded-2xl bg-secondary flex items-center justify-center shadow-2xl ${showLyrics ? 'max-w-xs md:max-w-lg mx-auto' : ''} ${getMusicThumbnail(currentMusic) ? 'hidden' : ''}`}>
+            <Play className={showLyrics ? 'h-24 w-24 md:h-32 md:w-32 text-muted-foreground' : 'h-32 w-32 text-muted-foreground'} />
+          </div>
         </div>
 
         {/* Song Info */}
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/player/Player.tsx b/frontend/src/components/player/Player.tsx
index 03075e3..753bc2b 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/player/Player.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/player/Player.tsx
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ import { Music } from '@/types'
 import { Slider } from '@/components/ui/slider'
 import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button'
 import { Play, Pause, SkipBack, SkipForward, Volume2, VolumeX, Heart, ListPlus, Repeat, Repeat1, Shuffle, Share2, Maximize2, MessageSquareText, Edit } from 'lucide-react'
-import { formatDuration } from '@/lib/utils'
+import { formatDuration, getMusicThumbnail } from '@/lib/utils'
 import { playlistApi, musicApi } from '@/api/client'
 import { toast } from 'sonner'
 import PlaylistSelector from './PlaylistSelector'
@@ -117,12 +117,13 @@ export default function Player({
   useEffect(() => {
     if (!currentMusic || !('mediaSession' in navigator)) return
 
-    const getAbsoluteImageUrl = (thumbnail: string | null) => {
-      if (!thumbnail) return undefined
-      if (thumbnail.startsWith('http')) return thumbnail
+    const thumbnailUrl = getMusicThumbnail(currentMusic)
+    const getAbsoluteImageUrl = (url: string | null) => {
+      if (!url) return undefined
+      if (url.startsWith('http')) return url
       // Convert relative path to absolute URL
       const baseUrl = window.location.origin
-      return `${baseUrl}/music/${thumbnail}`
+      return `${baseUrl}${url.startsWith('/') ? '' : '/'}${url}`
     }
 
     // Set metadata for lock screen
@@ -130,8 +131,8 @@ export default function Player({
       title: currentMusic.title,
       artist: currentMusic.artist || 'Unknown Artist',
       album: currentMusic.album || '',
-      artwork: currentMusic.thumbnail ? [
-        { src: getAbsoluteImageUrl(currentMusic.thumbnail) || '', sizes: '512x512', type: 'image/jpeg' },
+      artwork: thumbnailUrl ? [
+        { src: getAbsoluteImageUrl(thumbnailUrl) || '', sizes: '512x512', type: 'image/jpeg' },
       ] : undefined,
     })
 
@@ -265,21 +266,25 @@ export default function Player({
           <div className="flex items-center justify-between gap-2 md:gap-4">
             {/* Album art and music info */}
             <div className="flex items-center gap-2 md:gap-3 flex-1 min-w-0">
-              {currentMusic.thumbnail ? (
+              {getMusicThumbnail(currentMusic) ? (
                 <img
-                  src={currentMusic.thumbnail.startsWith('http') ? currentMusic.thumbnail : `/music/${currentMusic.thumbnail}`}
+                  src={getMusicThumbnail(currentMusic)!}
                   alt={currentMusic.title}
                   className="w-12 h-12 md:w-14 md:h-14 rounded object-cover cursor-pointer hover:opacity-80 transition-opacity"
                   onClick={() => setShowFullScreen(true)}
+                  onError={(e) => {
+                    const target = e.target as HTMLImageElement
+                    target.style.display = 'none'
+                    target.nextElementSibling?.classList.remove('hidden')
+                  }}
                 />
-              ) : (
-                <div 
-                  className="w-12 h-12 md:w-14 md:h-14 rounded bg-secondary flex items-center justify-center cursor-pointer hover:opacity-80 transition-opacity"
-                  onClick={() => setShowFullScreen(true)}
-                >
-                  <Play className="h-6 w-6 md:h-7 md:w-7 text-muted-foreground" />
-                </div>
-              )}
+              ) : null}
+              <div 
+                className={`w-12 h-12 md:w-14 md:h-14 rounded bg-secondary flex items-center justify-center cursor-pointer hover:opacity-80 transition-opacity ${getMusicThumbnail(currentMusic) ? 'hidden' : ''}`}
+                onClick={() => setShowFullScreen(true)}
+              >
+                <Play className="h-6 w-6 md:h-7 md:w-7 text-muted-foreground" />
+              </div>
               <div className="flex-1 min-w-0">
                 <h3 
                   className="font-semibold truncate cursor-pointer hover:underline"
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/utils.ts b/frontend/src/lib/utils.ts
index a23de9b..c7f7266 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/utils.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/utils.ts
@@ -47,3 +47,27 @@ export function formatArtist(artist: string | null | undefined, maxLength?: numb
   // Last resort
   return `+${artists.length}`
 }
+
+/**
+ * Get the best available thumbnail for a music item
+ * Priority: Music thumbnail → Artist image → null (for default icon)
+ */
+export function getMusicThumbnail(music: { thumbnail?: string | null, artist?: string | null }): string | null {
+  // If music has a thumbnail, use it
+  if (music.thumbnail) {
+    return music.thumbnail.startsWith('http') 
+      ? music.thumbnail 
+      : `/music/${music.thumbnail}`
+  }
+  
+  // If no thumbnail but has artist, try artist image
+  if (music.artist && music.artist !== 'Unknown') {
+    // Get first artist if multiple
+    const firstArtist = music.artist.split(/[,/]/)[0].trim()
+    // Return artist image path (backend will handle the lookup)
+    return `/api/artists/${encodeURIComponent(firstArtist)}/image`
+  }
+  
+  // No thumbnail or artist available
+  return null
+}