There has long been a strained relationship between matplotlib and ipython, really Jupyter Notebooks. In my opinion, it would be better if ipython allowed matplotlib to handle everything and that ipython drop any code relating to matplotlib.
Matplotlib could use ipython’s display_foo functions and _repr_foo_ methods to control output. A stylesheet could be added for the old inline settings (72 DPI is so low).
Seems like this would be much easier to maintain and control.