This is the base package which supports only non-GUI and non-interactive graphics output. For interactive graphics install one of the following packages: - python3.4-matplotlib-gtk3 (for GTK3Agg/GTK3Cairo backend) - python3.4-matplotlib-qt4 (for Qt4Agg backend) - python3.4-matplotlib-qt5 (for Qt5Agg backend) - python3.4-matplotlib-tk (for TkAgg backend) - python3.4-matplotlib-web (for webagg backend) To change the backend, you have two ways: - /etc/matplotlibrc (system-wide) - $HOME/.config/matplotlib/matplotlibrc (per-user basis) Natively, matplotlib only supports PNG images. Install python3.4-Pillow to support more file formats. Matplotlib’s LaTeX support requires a working LaTeX installation and ghostscript.