White Cloud, also known as “No Heart-of-Fear,” was a chief of the Iowa people of the mid-19th century. He father also was known as White Cloud, had been a tribal chief before him. At the time this portrait was made by George Catlin, the Iowas had decreased in numbers from about 1,400 to about 470. White Cloud was trying to raise money for his tribe by taking a small group to London about 1844. There he met Catlin, who had opened an exhibition there. A decade earlier, Catlin had traveled across the American West, recording images of American Indians. He had visited with the senior White Cloud during that journey.