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What was a vidimus in the planning of a medieval stained-glass window?

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The north rose window at Chartres Cathedral in France, featuring intricate stained glass with vibrant geometric and biblical designs in a large circular and five tall vertical panels. — stained glass The stained-glass rose window in the north transept of Chartres Cathedral, France.

In the planning of a medieval stained-glass window, a vidimus (Latin for "we have seen") was a provisional sketch prepared by a master glazier based on written instructions from a patron.

These sketches were submitted to the patron for approval before the artist proceeded to create the final, full-scale design, known as a cartoon. This process ensured that the glazier’s work aligned with the specific iconographic program or preferences requested by the donor, whether they were a cleric or a layman.1