Final answer:
Théodore Géricault did not build a scale model of the raft as part of his preparations for The Raft of the Medusa; he did extensive studies and hired models to pose as survivors instead.
Step-by-step explanation:
To prepare for his renowned work, The Raft of the Medusa, Théodore Géricault undertook extensive research and preparatory activities. This included visiting morgues and hospitals to study cadavers for accurate depictions of the dead and dying, creating detailed sketches and studies, and hiring live models to pose as survivors of the shipwreck. However, among the options provided, the activity Géricault did NOT do was 'build a scale model of the raft'. Instead, his preparations involved intense observation and depiction of what he learned from survivors and his studies of the human form in extreme conditions to capture the emotional and physical state of the tragedy. The Raft of the Medusa is known for its dramatic expression of human suffering and the Romantic elements Géricault employed to show the terror and desperation of the event.