matplotlib: how to draw a rectangle on image

How to draw a rectangle on an image, like this:

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
from PIL import Image
import numpy as np
im = np.array(Image.open('dog.png'), dtype=np.uint8)
plt.imshow(im)

I don't know how to proceed.

Solution 1:

You can add a Rectangle patch to the matplotlib Axes.

For example (using the image from the tutorial here):

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import matplotlib.patches as patches
from PIL import Image

im = Image.open('stinkbug.png')

# Create figure and axes
fig, ax = plt.subplots()

# Display the image
ax.imshow(im)

# Create a Rectangle patch
rect = patches.Rectangle((50, 100), 40, 30, linewidth=1, edgecolor='r', facecolor='none')

# Add the patch to the Axes
ax.add_patch(rect)

plt.show()

Solution 2:

There is no need for subplots, and pyplot can display PIL images, so this can be simplified further:

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
from matplotlib.patches import Rectangle
from PIL import Image

im = Image.open('stinkbug.png')

# Display the image
plt.imshow(im)

# Get the current reference
ax = plt.gca()

# Create a Rectangle patch
rect = Rectangle((50,100),40,30,linewidth=1,edgecolor='r',facecolor='none')

# Add the patch to the Axes
ax.add_patch(rect)

Or, the short version:

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
from matplotlib.patches import Rectangle
from PIL import Image

# Display the image
plt.imshow(Image.open('stinkbug.png'))

# Add the patch to the Axes
plt.gca().add_patch(Rectangle((50,100),40,30,linewidth=1,edgecolor='r',facecolor='none'))