Python / matplotlib graphics & OS X 10.9: mission control?
I have the same problem using Anaconda Python. The problem seems to be related to the fact that Anaconda is not a "framework" installation. For more information, see:

https://stackoverflow.com/questions/4130355/python-matplotlib-framework-under-macosx

and

https://github.com/matplotlib/matplotlib/issues/665#issuecomment-11327805

With Anaconda installed, my default python executable is Anaconda's:

$ which python
/Users/dgolden/anaconda/bin/python


A solution that works for me is to explicitly call the system python installation, which is installed in /usr/bin/python for me, e.g., 

/usr/bin/python /path/to/my/script.py


You can save yourself some typing by creating a symlink with a unique name that won't be shadowed by anaconda (the fw suffix that I use suggests "framework"):

sudo ln -s /System/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/2.7/bin/python /usr/bin/pythonfw


Then you can run your script with:

pythonfw /path/to/my/script.py