Le De purissimo virginis Mariae conceptu de Denys Lefebvre (Troyes, 1520), défense polémique du privilège marial et poème didactique dans le sillage de l’élégie de Robert Gaguin

The Celestine monastic poet Denys Lefebvre defends the validity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, following the lead of Robert Gaguin. Lefebvre’s long poem in dactylic hexameter explores the theme of filial piety in discussing the relationship between the Virgin and Jesus. Despite its polemical tone, this poem deploys image-laden arguments based on analogy and biblical imagery to justify the pious opinion of Mary’s absolute freedom from the stain of original sin.