[gms7777]

I agree that R/ggplot is often more straightforward, but the main reason I (and most colleagues I've worked with) tend to use matplotlib is just a preference for python over R in general (to each their own though, that's not a debate I'm looking to start). If I'm doing data analysis in python already, it's a pain to export out just to plot in R. That said, it's definitely a steep learning curve, especially because it's something people usually learn on the fly instead of having any kind of formal instruction. I do think seaborn has really helped boost ease of entry wrt plotting in python at least.