Varvara Ivanovna Pavlova was the mother of the academician Ivan Petrovich Pavlov. She was born into a family of clergymen and married the priest Pyotr Pavlov with whom she spent her entire life. Varvara Pavlova was a good housewife and in the evenings, she enjoyed various handicrafts. She was great at knitting, sewing, and embroidery, and the Pavlov family house was always cozy and clean. Beautiful napkins, bedspreads, and tablecloths made by Varvara Pavlova are displayed at the Ivan Pavlov Estate Museum in Ryazan.

This portrait of Varvara Ivanovna Pavlova was painted by the Ryazan artist L.I. Yegorova in the mid-20th century. This is a half-length portrait, full face. Varvara Pavlova is depicted wearing a dark purple dress with brown cuffs. On her shoulders is a black lace cape, and on her head is a cap trimmed with lace and tied with a bow.

The calm expression and the gentle look on her face reveal her gentle character. Varvara Pavlova dedicated all of her time taking care of her husband, children, and home. She gave birth to ten children, only five of whom survived. Ivan Pavlov was the eldest child and loved his mother dearly. He always helped her around the house and looked after his younger siblings. Pavlov said about his mother,

Varvara Pavlova always supported her children in all their endeavors. However, at one of the clinical discussions, when the topic of parenting came up, Ivan Pavlov admitted to his colleagues that his mother was overprotective when he was a child.