title: python matplotlib: way to transpose axes
body: <p>Suppose I have a plotting function that takes an axes argument (or returns one). Is there some low-level method for transposing the whole plot so that the x-axis becomes the y-axis and vice-versa? Or even the axes before the plot so that the plotting function just does everything correctly (labeling) by relying on the axes functions?</p>
  
  <p>I know how to do this "manually", but I'm wondering if there is a slightly hidden level of abstraction that allows this kind of transformation.</p>