Problematic dependency of Matplotlib with use_tex

Our plot examples make use of LaTeX markup. We definitely want to keep this feature. However, plotting fails if a file called type1ec.sty is missing on the system. Typical error message:

RuntimeError: latex was not able to process the following string:
b'lp'

Here is the full report generated by latex:
This is pdfTeX, Version 3.141592653-2.6-1.40.22 (TeX Live 2022/dev/Debian) (preloaded format=latex)
 restricted \write18 enabled.
entering extended mode
(../1acea6f6c115d0ec7a634ed0529287b9.tex
LaTeX2e <2021-11-15> patch level 1
L3 programming layer <2022-01-21>
(/usr/share/texlive/texmf-dist/tex/latex/base/article.cls
Document Class: article 2021/10/04 v1.4n Standard LaTeX document class
(/usr/share/texlive/texmf-dist/tex/latex/base/size10.clo))
(/usr/share/texlive/texmf-dist/tex/latex/type1cm/type1cm.sty)

! LaTeX Error: File `type1ec.sty' not found.

Type X to quit or <RETURN> to proceed,
or enter new name. (Default extension: sty)

Enter file name: 
! Emergency stop.
<read *> 
         
l.6 \usepackage
               [utf8]{inputenc}^^M
No pages of output.
Transcript written on 1acea6f6c115d0ec7a634ed0529287b9.log.

Explanation: Matplotlib v3.2.1 has introduced this extradependence: https://github.com/matplotlib/matplotlib/issues/16911

added Plot bug deployment labels

assigned to @j.wuttke

changed milestone to %0 Stable for installation and use

Closely related to #253 (closed) and #256 (closed).

Reported to Debian as issues with package python3-matplotlib:

• https://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=1010216
• https://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=1010235

mentioned in issue #253 (closed)

Resolved by

• upstream bug report
• installation instruction for Linux (#256 (closed))
• checks for Win and Mac (#253 (closed))

closed