code: def image_to_base64(image):
      """
      Convert a matplotlib image to a base64 png representation
  
      Parameters
      ----------
      image : matplotlib image object
          The image to be converted.
  
      Returns
      -------
      image_base64 : string
          The UTF8-encoded base64 string representation of the png image.
      """
      ax = image.axes
      binary_buffer = io.BytesIO()
  
      # image is saved in axes coordinates: we need to temporarily
      # set the correct limits to get the correct image
      lim = ax.axis()
      ax.axis(image.get_extent())
      image.write_png(binary_buffer)
      ax.axis(lim)
  
      binary_buffer.seek(0)
      return base64.b64encode(binary_buffer.read()).decode("utf-8")
  
imports: import itertools
  import io
  import base64
  import numpy
  import warnings
  import matplotlib
  from matplotlib.colors import colorConverter
  from matplotlib.path import Path
  from matplotlib.markers import MarkerStyle
  from matplotlib.transforms import Affine2D
  from matplotlib import ticker
label_desc: Use image node_id 15 for calling a global function with example usage: image_to_base64(image) and returns: base64