Alec Baldwin Sues Art Dealer For Selling Him A Fake

Alec Baldwin wants his money back after a prominent art dealer knowingly sold him a fake painting ... so claims the actor in a new suit.

Baldwin says Mary Boone passed off a copy of Ross Bleckner's "Sea and Mirror" as the real thing and took steps to make it look like the real thing ... this according to new legal docs obtained by TMZ.

Baldwin claims Boone went as far as fraudulently stamping the back of the painting with the inventory number of the original. He says Boone ultimately admitted to duping him out of $190k.

According to the docs ... Baldwin grew suspicious as soon as the painting arrived ... claiming the colors were brighter and the artwork smelled clean. Baldwin claims Boone told him she cleaned it prior to delivery cause the previous owner was a heavy smoker.

Still suspicious ... Baldwin had a Sotheby's art expert take a look ... who said it was a fake.

Boone's attorney, Ted Poretz, tells us, “Ms. Boone has no interest in misleading clients and we are confident that this frivolous and vindictive lawsuit will be dismissed."

He continues, "Ms. Boone offered him a full refund and took every step to handle this in a professional manner."