diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/axes/_base.py b/lib/matplotlib/axes/_base.py
index 48b7a499aed6..da399a2da7d1 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/axes/_base.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/axes/_base.py
@@ -1589,7 +1589,7 @@ def apply_aspect(self, position=None):
             else:
                 self.set_xbound((x0, x1))
 
-    def axis(self, *v, **kwargs):
+    def axis(self, *args, **kwargs):
         """
         Convenience method to get or set some axis properties.
 
@@ -1606,14 +1606,15 @@ def axis(self, *v, **kwargs):
             The axis limits to be set. Either none or all of the limits must
             be given.
 
-        option : str
-            Possible values:
+        option : bool or str
+            If a bool, turns axis lines and labels on or off. If a string,
+            possible values are:
 
             ======== ==========================================================
             Value    Description
             ======== ==========================================================
-            'on'     Turn on axis lines and labels.
-            'off'    Turn off axis lines and labels.
+            'on'     Turn on axis lines and labels. Same as ``True``.
+            'off'    Turn off axis lines and labels. Same as ``False``.
             'equal'  Set equal scaling (i.e., make circles circular) by
                      changing axis limits.
             'scaled' Set equal scaling (i.e., make circles circular) by
@@ -1642,15 +1643,15 @@ def axis(self, *v, **kwargs):
         matplotlib.axes.Axes.set_ylim
         """
 
-        if len(v) == len(kwargs) == 0:
+        if len(args) == len(kwargs) == 0:
             xmin, xmax = self.get_xlim()
             ymin, ymax = self.get_ylim()
             return xmin, xmax, ymin, ymax
 
         emit = kwargs.get('emit', True)
 
-        if len(v) == 1 and isinstance(v[0], str):
-            s = v[0].lower()
+        if len(args) == 1 and isinstance(args[0], str):
+            s = args[0].lower()
             if s == 'on':
                 self.set_axis_on()
             elif s == 'off':
@@ -1695,7 +1696,7 @@ def axis(self, *v, **kwargs):
             return xmin, xmax, ymin, ymax
 
         try:
-            v[0]
+            args[0]
         except IndexError:
             xmin = kwargs.get('xmin', None)
             xmax = kwargs.get('xmax', None)
@@ -1712,9 +1713,18 @@ def axis(self, *v, **kwargs):
             ymin, ymax = self.set_ylim(ymin, ymax, emit=emit, auto=auto)
             return xmin, xmax, ymin, ymax
 
-        v = v[0]
+        v = args[0]
+        if isinstance(v, bool):
+            if v:
+                self.set_axis_on()
+            else:
+                self.set_axis_off()
+            xmin, xmax = self.get_xlim()
+            ymin, ymax = self.get_ylim()
+            return xmin, xmax, ymin, ymax
+
         if len(v) != 4:
-            raise ValueError('v must contain [xmin xmax ymin ymax]')
+            raise ValueError('args must contain [xmin xmax ymin ymax]')
 
         self.set_xlim([v[0], v[1]], emit=emit, auto=False)
         self.set_ylim([v[2], v[3]], emit=emit, auto=False)
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/pyplot.py b/lib/matplotlib/pyplot.py
index 9f7b640e62ca..83e94feb31a8 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/pyplot.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/pyplot.py
@@ -2393,8 +2393,8 @@ def axhspan(ymin, ymax, xmin=0, xmax=1, **kwargs):
 
 # Autogenerated by boilerplate.py.  Do not edit as changes will be lost.
 @docstring.copy(Axes.axis)
-def axis(*v, **kwargs):
-    return gca().axis(*v, **kwargs)
+def axis(*args, **kwargs):
+    return gca().axis(*args, **kwargs)
 
 
 # Autogenerated by boilerplate.py.  Do not edit as changes will be lost.
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_axes.py b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_axes.py
index 3cf21457efce..20b2cb5844ed 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_axes.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_axes.py
@@ -6270,3 +6270,15 @@ def test_minor_accountedfor():
             targetbb = mtransforms.Bbox.from_bounds(*targets[n])
             assert_allclose(bbspines[n * 2].bounds, targetbb.bounds,
                            atol=1e-2)
+
+
+@check_figures_equal(extensions=["png"])
+def test_axis_bool_arguments(fig_test, fig_ref):
+    # Test if False and "off" give the same
+    fig_test.add_subplot(211).axis(False)
+    fig_ref.add_subplot(211).axis("off")
+    # Test if True after False gives the same as "on"
+    ax = fig_test.add_subplot(212)
+    ax.axis(False)
+    ax.axis(True)
+    fig_ref.add_subplot(212).axis("on")