In the closing chapter of the first volume of OEdipus Aegyptiacus, Kircher presented an Egyptogenetic argument on modern paganism that was widely received, not least owing to his deliberate use of illustrations. He attributed great importance to these visualizations as structuring elements and corroborating evidence. Through his selection of images, he made a purposeful reference to Lorenzo Pignoria’s Egyptogenetic take on contemporary idolatry, first published in 1615. Through his pictorial strategy he succeeding in becoming integrated into the paganological discourse and reformed it by proposing methodological and theoretical innovations. His chapter became a reference work and remained influential for the interpretation of mostly Asian artefacts in the Republic of Letters for many decades.