Career
He is variously known as Prospero Clementi or Prospero Clemente or il Clemente. Vasari claimed he was Modenese. Spani was born and died in Reggio Emilia.
He soon modeled much of his work after the mannerist style of Michelangelo.
The Funeral Monument for the blessed Bernardo degli Uberti (1544) in the Cathedral of Parma is his first work. He also completed some works for the Prati family in Parma.
In the church of San Andrea in Mantua, he sculpted a monument for the Bishop Andreossi (Andreasi) (1549), with a sphinx and bronze swan, flanked by sculptures of Faith and Charity. He also worked for the Cathedral of Carpi and the church of San Domenico in Bologna.