title: Matplotlib not displaying image
body: <p>I am trying to use matplotlib to view an image in ipython. However, I solely obtain a description of the image as opposed to seeing the actual image:</p>
  
  <pre><code>&gt;&gt;&gt; import numpy as np
  &gt;&gt;&gt; import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
  &gt;&gt;&gt; plt.imshow(an_array)
  Out[4]: &lt;matplotlib.image.AxesImage at 0x7fb626f063d0&gt;
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>This is with the backend set to Qt5Agg or TkAgg in .matplotlibrc</p>
  
  <p>I have the same issues whether or not I am working in a conda virtual environment</p>
  
  <p>I am running: Scientific Linux release 6.8 (Carbon), Python 2.7.13, Anaconda 4.3.0 (64-bit)</p>
  
  <p>I have had similar issues on my local computer running MacOSX</p>
  
  <p>I would be most grateful for any advice,</p>
  
  <p>Thanks</p>
  
  <p>Rob</p>